Veterinarian salary in Australia: where it sits on the salary index

What is a veterinarian salary?

When people search for a "veterinarian salary" in Australia, they usually want to know what a vet actually takes home. The answer isn't a single number—it depends on experience, location, and the type of practice. But we can look at the median full-time earnings and compare them to the national average using the salary index.

The salary index sets the national line at 100, which equals $108,352 a year (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS, May 2026). Anything above 100 means you earn more than the typical full-time worker; below 100 means less.

How the salary index works

The index is simple: take your gross annual salary, divide it by $108,352, and multiply by 100. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year—that gives an index of 48.2. A veterinarian earning the median of $125,476 has an index of about 116.

You can read more about how the index works. It's a useful benchmark, but remember it's based on ordinary-time earnings before tax and super. Your take-home pay will be less after tax and Medicare.

Where veterinarian pay sits on the index

According to Jobs and Skills Australia (using ABS data from May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for veterinarians are $2,413. That annualises to roughly $125,476 (52 weeks), giving an index of 115.8—let's call it 116. That's well above the national line and also above the index for the professional, scientific and technical services industry (114.7).

But the median is just one point. The award minimums under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 are much lower. A veterinary surgeon at Level 1A (new graduate) earns a minimum of $67,582 a year (index 62.4). At Level 4 (experienced), the minimum is $95,593 (index 88.2). Many vets earn above the award, especially in private practice or after several years of experience.

For comparison, the health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, and the retail trade index is 75.9. Veterinarians sit closer to the professional services average.

Award minimums and typical earnings

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates for veterinary surgeons are:

• Level 1A: $34.20/hr ($67,582/yr)
• Level 1B: $36.08/hr ($71,300/yr)
• Level 2: $38.98/hr ($77,032/yr)
• Level 3: $42.83/hr ($84,628/yr)
• Level 4: $48.38/hr ($95,593/yr)

These are minimums. The median of $2,413 per week works out to about $63.50 per hour (based on a 38-hour week), which is well above Level 4. That suggests many vets are paid above the award, likely due to experience, specialisation, or enterprise agreements.

Veterinary nurses and receptionists have lower award rates, starting at $25.74/hr (introductory level) up to $33.77/hr for a practice manager (Level 5).

Factors affecting veterinarian pay

Several things influence where your salary sits on the index:

• Experience: New graduates start at or near the award minimum. After 5–10 years, you can move up to Level 3 or 4, and often beyond.
• Location: Vets in remote or rural areas may earn more to attract staff, but cost of living varies. State indices for all occupations range from 88.6 (Tasmania) to 109.9 (ACT). A vet in Western Australia (state index 106.9) might earn a premium, but that's not guaranteed.
• Practice type: Emergency or specialist vets often earn more than general practice. Government or university roles may have different pay scales.
• Hours: The median full-time vet works 45 hours a week, slightly above the national average of 44. Overtime and on-call allowances can boost total pay, but the index is based on ordinary-time earnings.
• Gender: 63% of vets are female, but the median earnings data doesn't show a gender split. The national gender pay gap means women earn less on average, so the median for female vets may be lower than for males.

Using the salary index to compare

If you're a vet earning $90,000 a year, your index is 83. That's below the national line. If you earn $130,000, your index is 120. The index helps you see where you stand relative to other occupations and industries. You can also compare across states to see how your pay matches up.

Remember, the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings. Your take-home pay after tax and Medicare will be lower. For a $125,476 salary in 2026–27, the tax estimate (including 2% Medicare levy) is roughly $31,000 in tax, leaving about $94,500 net. That's a rough guide—your actual tax depends on deductions and other factors.

Superannuation and other benefits

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% from 1 July 2026, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $125,476 salary, your employer adds $15,057 to super. That's on top of your salary. The award also includes allowances for on-call duty, vehicle use, and uniforms.

The bottom line

The typical veterinarian salary in Australia sits comfortably above the national average, with an index around 116. But there's a wide range from the award floor to experienced specialists. If you're considering a career as a vet, the earning potential is good, but you'll start lower and work your way up. For more detail on award rates, check the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman.

FAQs

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